<p>Just wondering - our DD has been admitted to 4 well-known BFA programs. We have only received 2 awards so far....and neither has paid attention to our EFC and/or our need. We've had to essentially cross two of the 4 off the list. Waiting on the other 2. It's wonderful that our kids are getting in to these BFA programs (really, it is - they've all worked SO hard for it), but so disheartening when these schools really aren't making it possible for DD to attend. </p>
<p>Anyone else out there in the same boat? She has big dreams, and got into some big programs - but we absolutely do not want her to graduate with a BFA in dance and carry a $100-$140K student debt (we don't have any money).</p>
<p>@moregrayhair our DD did get merit $$ (I believe it was Presidential plus a smaller leadership scholarship) to Marymount Manhattan, but she was admitted to the BA (not BFA) and has crossed that one off her list. Her safety BFAs were Rutgers and Temple and both offered nice merit packages. Admitted to UNCSA, but no $ offered. No FA for us, either (and high EFC, sigh - can’t afford much). Unfortunately we’ve been clear with DD that we don’t want her to be in debt for a BFA. Big dreams here, too, and it’s been very hard, but she also has several LAC admissions with nice merit packages, so we’ll see. It’s not been easy, so I’m commiserating!</p>
<p>We have taken a collective breath after the rejections of this week and are awaiting the final 3 financial aid awards. I’m glad we had the experiences we did with the auditions, and so proud of DD. She is very aware that most of the kids she knows are in the exact same boat. Many of the kids around her didn’t even apply to safeties - as the guidance dept told many of the kids “Just apply to the big schools, you’ll get in and get aid”. Some didn’t get in anywhere, and some got in with no aid. </p>
<p>We had heard and read about the disconnect between higher education and the middle class - but really didn’t understand it til now. $60K a year for one of these private universities? Even on the high end of middle class - who has that? And if you have more than one child? That’s another mortgage payment. </p>
<p>Fingers crossed - something will work out for all of them. It has to!
And burdening our children with $100K debt is no way to start out an independent life. </p>
<p>It has been a very long time since I have been here but came across the thread and felt compelled to reply. My son graduated a few years ago with BFA in Dance. Fortunately he had a great scholarship and graduated debt free. I hope that every prospective parent and student going into dance understands how difficult it is to make a living in the dance world. My son has been working most of the time (mostly Contemporary Dance) but he has had to often supplement his income by waiting tables. He is lucky as still dancing and loves his life. He has literally traveled around the world and has had amazing experiences and has worked with fabulous choreographers. But I know he would strongly advise against any student loans as he has seen so many of his friends struggle with finances and eventually have to give up dance to pay their bills. Student Loans are forever and must be repaid.<br>
With that being said…he wouldn’t change a thing and seems happy to be poor!</p>
<p>This is precisely the reason we are encouraging our dancer to take out as few loans as possible - I actually think that should be for every kid - but dancers are not known for their high salaries! So glad to hear that your son is happy and doing well - as that is what we all want for our dancers. Can I ask where he went to school?</p>
<p>University of Arizona. Interesting that this school does not seem to be on the radar for East Coast students. A LOT of men students. Fabulous facilities. Very competitive admittance. Warm weather! He absolutely loved it.<br>
Good luck! </p>
<p>We have heard of that UofA and met a few East Coast dancers who were auditioning there. It was too far away for our dancer, though. Everything is a learning experience for all of us - and I expect she’ll grow and change as these issues come up. These dance kids are tough as nails, they have to be. Many in our family ask how she is was with the auditions - and honestly, she’s so used to auditions, THAT wasn’t the hard part! It’s all harder on us. We should know something this week…it will be what it will be.
:)</p>
<p>Hang in there…and only the parent of dancer can understand their passion. My son’s commitment to dance came out of left field for us as he was never into ballet in high school and was all about Music Theater. He did an about face at age 18 and I think dance will forever be his focus in life.</p>
<p>My DD is a junior in college, time has passed by so quickly. She says she can’t imagine ever not dancing. She also found a minor her freshman year and has completed that already. She minored in Adaptive Physical Activity and has started grad classes already too in that major. She is taking so many classes, 20 credits this semester and is about counting the days until the semester ends. She realizes that that was too much of a load but being a dancer she is used to time management. She is determined to graduate in December, a semester early, then will finish her Masters classes in May, will complete her internship that summer and will have everything done by what should be the summer after her senior year. She wanted to stay fairly close to home, she is about 3 1/2 hours away, she wanted us to be able to come to her performances, which we would not have been able to do had she gone to the west coast. She just wanted us to be involved and knew we could not afford to travel too much with those kind of distances. From what I have heard the scholarships and grants are dwindling for the arts majors.</p>
<p>My D just committed to a BA Dance program at a liberal arts college. She was offered very generous academic and talent scholarships and a grant. We were extremely pleased with her financial aid package. It’s not a BFA, but she has other goals along with dance.</p>
<p>Am just reading this thread now looking at college entrance next fall for my senior daughter. So, moregrayhair, I’m dying to know where your daughter went to school? How is it going?</p>
<p>I am planning on auditioning for UofA’s dance program this year and have heard amazing things about the school and the opportunities they provide for us male dancers! Being from Canada and not being able to audition on campus I will be auditioning by DVD. @"happy days" do you know what the acceptance rate is like for those submitting a DVD audition?</p>
Everything is a learning experience for all of us - and I expect she’ll grow and change as these issues come up. These dance kids are tough as nails, they have to be. Many in our family ask how she is was with the auditions - and honestly, she’s so used to auditions, THAT wasn’t the hard part! It’s all harder on us. We should know something this week…it will be what it will be.